MN Boys’ Hockey Hub

Jackson Sabo led the Irish with a pair of goals, including one in the game's opening 20 seconds, to secure his team at least a share of this year's South Suburban title.

Rosemount's Jackson Sabo battles Lakeville North's AJ Haider for the puck Tuesday night. Sabo scored twice for the Irish in their 3-1 victory over the Panthers in Lakeville. Photo by Jeff Lawler, SportsEngine

Irish goalie William Tollefson stretches to pull in a rebound late in the third period against Lakeville North. Tollefson had 20 saves in Rosemount's 3-1 victory over the Panthers. Photo by Jeff Lawler, SportsEngine

Rosemount was a pleasant surprise last year, putting together its best season in a decade with 20 regular-season wins and a Class 2A, Section 3 playoff victory over Apple Valley before falling in the semifinal round to Eastview.

Coming into this season, the Irish believed they had nowhere to go but up. And up they’ve gone.

Rosemount, ranked No. 10 in the Class 2A coaches’ poll, notched a 3-1 win at South Suburban rival Lakeville North Tuesday night, earning the necessary points to guarantee the Irish at least a share of the conference title.

It’s the first South Suburban crown in program history, and the Irish (20-3, 14-2) can win the league outright with a win or tie in one of their final two games of the regular season.

Last year, Rosemount finished one point back of conference champion Eastview, at 14-3-1 — and that lone tie, and point that cost them a share of the crown, was to Lakeville North.

The Panthers (13-10, 12-5), who entered Tuesday with an outside shot at the South Suburban title, put up a fight, but Rosemount scored 20 seconds into the game, and it responded to the lone Panther goal by giving itself a two-goal cushion again just 90 seconds later.

Lakeville North won three straight South Suburban titles from 2013-15 and it has a history of success. Until a year ago, Rosemount hadn’t finished any higher than sixth in the South Suburban — so this title, clinched over Lakeville North, is special, and will be more so if the Irish can win it outright later this week.

“It’s the first one in school history, so obviously it’s pretty big for us,” Irish senior captain Jackson Sabo said. “We’re gonna work hard at it and go get it [outright].”

Rosemount, which went 21-5-1 overall last season, saw a leap of 10 wins from 2016-17. With key pieces returning, like Sabo, who scored twice against the Panthers, Luke Levandowski, Connor Kenefick and Tyler Linnerooth, the Irish knew there was a chance to do something even more special this season.

“We worked hard all summer,” Sabo said. “We skated as a team, worked out as a team, did things together as a team, and kind of built a culture; and then we just carried it over into the season. We just put it together at the right times.”

Culture has been a key word for a program that hasn’t had much sustained success over any long period since it started in the early 1970s.

“I think that’s the big thing,” Saintey said. “We established last year that winning culture, and we expect nothing else. I think that was a big piece going from last year to this.”

The Irish are now on a nine-game winning streak, and have a chance to take it even further in the postseason as the program eyes its first section final since 2008.

Whatever happens, the Irish at least have a conference title in their back pocket — and a lot of confidence.

“It feels good,” Sabo said. “We just know we’ve got to do the little things, and if we do the little things, it will take care of itself.”

First Report

Rosemount earned at least a share of the South Suburban Conference title with a 3-1 win at Lakeville North Tuesday at Lakeville Ames Arena.

The Irish, ranked No. 10 in the Class 2A coaches’ poll, got two goals from senior captain Jackson Sabo, including the game’s opening score just 20 seconds into the first period.

Rosemount (20-3, 14-2) led 3-1 after the second period and played a scoreless third to sweep Lakeville North for the season.

Caden Smith got Lakeville North (13-10, 12-5) within 2-1 with a power-play goal at the 14:20 mark of the second. Connor Kenefick responded 1 minute, 4 seconds later for Rosemount to give the Irish a 3-1 advantage.

Lakeville North goaltender Will Johnson made 27 saves, while Rosemount’s Will Tollefson blocked 20 shots.

With the win, Rosemount’s place in the conference standings can be matched only by Eagan. The Wildcats can split the league hardware by winning their final two games of the regular season, if the Irish lose their two remaining conference matchups.